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Practical Applications of Systems Thinking and STELLA in the High School Setting . Presented by: Jeremy Merritt, Mark Clemente VSTE 2009. “A system is an interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something”
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Practical Applications of Systems Thinking and STELLA in the High School Setting Presented by: Jeremy Merritt, Mark Clemente VSTE 2009
“A system is an interconnected set of elements that is coherently organized in a way that achieves something” Donella H. Meadows, Thinking in Systems: A Primer (Chelsea Green Publishing, 2008) 11 What is a system?
Examples of Systems Digestive Forest Community
Bathtubs A bathtub is a simple system
Bathtub System Draining 1: Bathtub 1: 30 1 1 1: 15 1 1 1: 0 0.00 7.50 15.00 22.50 30.00 Minutes 11:46 AM Fri, Feb 20, 2009 Water in bathtub
Understanding Behavior Over Time Dynamic Equilibrium 1: Bathtub 1: 26 1 1 1 1 1: 25 1: 24 0.00 7.50 15.00 22.50 30.00 Minutes 11:34 AM Fri, Feb 20, 2009 Water in bathtub
Stocks & Flows The bathtub is a stock
Stocks & Flows The faucet and the drain are flows
Other Stocks & Flows Same thing, different units
Feedback Loops A feedback loop occurs when a stock affects its flows R
Feedback Loops Reinforcing Loops R R R
Behavior vs. Data It’s important to focus on behavior when you’re thinking about systems 1 R 1 1 1
Feedback Loops Balancing Loop
Balancing Loops 1: Population 1: 450 1 1 1 1: 250 1 1: 50 0.00 15.00 30.00 45.00 60.00 Time
Applying Systems Thinking in the Classroom Non-software-based Software-based Use Systems Thinking Stock & flow Mapping Use Model-based Concepts Materials
Earth Systems Science & STELLA An example: GLOBE Carbon Cycle Program • Bringing cutting edge research & techniques into the classroom • STELLA models that use input data collected by students and researchers • Focus on using technology & modeling to give students an understanding of local and global carbon cycles
Lessons in Mathematics Lessons in Mathematics: A Dynamic Approach by Diana Fisher provides a set of materials that can be used to supplement current curriculum for Algebra I, Algebra II, Pre-Calculus and Calculus classes.
Mark Clemente! MODSIM Initiative
Our Company Mission “ isee systems is in business to improve the way the world works, by creating Systems Thinking-based products that enable people to increase their capacity to think, learn, communicate, and act more systemically.” ―Barry Richmond
Contact Us! • isee systems • www.iseesystems.com • blog.iseesystems.com • Jeremy Merritt • jmerritt@iseesystems.com • Twitter @jeremyx • Mark Clemente • mark.clemente@nianet.org